Vending-machine.



w. HILL.

VENDING MACHINE.. APPLICATION FILED APILZS. i916.

Lmw I Patented. .my 17, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. HILL@ VE'NDING zvm'chlmE.` APPLICATION FILED APR- 28 |916.

P-meed July 17, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

4.7710612 for/Md@ m WALTER HILL, OF SHORT BEACH, BRANFORD, CONNECTICUT.

VENDINGr-MACHINE.

Application filed Apri128, 1916.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WALTER HILL, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Short Beach, town of Branford, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vending-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention. relates to a new and improved vending machine, referring more particularly to a machine for automatically selling small articles, such as candies, chocolates, chewing gum, etc., although it may be used equally as well for vending articles of a similar nature.

.It is the object of my invention, among other things, to produce a vending machine that is so designed and constructed that a plurality of such articles may be separately contained within said machine and the mechanisms for each of said separately contained articles shall be independent of each other, whereby it may be assembled or taken down without disturbing adjacent mechanisms; to so mount such mechanism that it may be readily exposed for purposes of eX- amination, repairs, etc.; and in numerous other ways to modify the mechanism of this type of machine that it may be economically constructed, readily assembled and operate with certainty, although subject to the roughest kind of usage; all of which will more particularly appear from the following specification.

To these, and other' ends, my invention consists in the vending machine, having certain details of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals of reference designate like parts in the several figures;

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the interior mechanisms of one of the units of my improved machine, with the-case and some of the parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the coin chute, taken substantially upon line 2 2 of f Fig. Ll; l

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic sectlonal view of the body member and the front and rear plates, taken substantially upon line 3 8 of Fig. l;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 1"?, 191'?.

serial No. 94,248.

'Fig'. 4 is a rear view of the interior mechamsm of my improved device;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view thereof, taken upon line 5 5 of Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the shutter for the coin slot;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of two members of the coin twister, shown separated from each other;

IFig. Si is a sectional view of the twister, taken upon line 8 8 of Fig. 7, its two members being in contact with each other; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of some of the parts showing one of the relative positions of the coin, ejecting lever and carrier shaft.

In the practice of my invention I provide a body member 1, to the rear end of which is hinged a back plate 2 that is secured in a reasonably permanent manner to a fixed member, and to the front of which is hinged a front plate 3, the back plate being secured at its free end to said body member by a catch 4, which engages a lug 5 upon the inside of the body member, and the front plate 3 is secured by a lock 6 of any preferred form.

lVith this method of constructing the body member and front and rear portions thereof the interior mechanism can be readily exposed for the purpose of replacement, alterations, repairs, etc., without taking down the entire device from the member to which it is attached. Fixed within the case, in any preferred manner, is the supporting plate 7. Attached to the upper end of this plate is a coin chute 8, the opening 9 therein registering with a coin opening 10 inthe front plate 3. This opening 9 extends in substantially a right angle direction through the coin chute 8, terminating at theV bottom end at the opening 10 and having one open side 11 adjacent to which is fixed a magnet 12.

The coins are placed in the coin chute through the opening l0v and into the opening 9, and if they are of the proper size, and not made of iron or steel, they will ride upon the bottom edge of saidl opening 9, and in the path shown substantially by the coin outlined in dotted lines in Fig. l, and are discharged therefrom through the opening 73. If, however, an iron or steel disk is placed in the chute instead of a coin, the magnet 12 deflects them from the path traveled by the coin sufliciently to cause the same tojump out of said coinchute through the opening 11 into the slug box 18 fixed to the back plate 2.

A wing 14- fixed to the side of the coin chute is so arranged as to direct a coin or article ,brought in contact therewith into the Vslug box Y18 Yif it should escape through any which are semi-circular in cross section and have overlapping lips 17 and 18 thereon that coperate to prevent lateral movement of the members in relation to each other.

The member 15 is provided with a recess 19 therein, the bottom of which forms an inclined plane 20, and the member 16 is provided with a recess 21, which is provided with a bottomforming the inclined plane 22,v the incline being directed toward the inner face of said member 15, as shown in Fig. 8, and toward one side, as shown in Fig. 4, and terminating at the bottom in the recess 28 of substantially uniform width and depth.

The members 15 and 16 are assembled within a ring 24 with the bands 25 resting thereon and said ring 24 being secured to the plate 7 bythe standard 26.

The coins drop from the coin chute into the recesses 19 and 21 in the twister mechanism, and by reason of the inclined bottom 22 within the member 16, the coin is turned through an angle of 90 while passing throughsaid twister mechanism, and before it enters Vthe recessV 28.

Journaled in the brackets 28, lixed to the plate 7, is a coin carrier shaft 27, having a stop lug 81 thereon, 'with grooved wheel 29 fixed upon one end thereof, and preferably integralz with said shaft are a plurality of wings 80 arranged in pairs, each pair being 'i equally distant from the center of the twister mechanism above described.

These wings in cross section are substantially right angle in shape so as to prevent lateral movement of the coin therein. Also j rotatably mounted in the brackets 28 is the trip vshaft 82 having a counter-balanee weight 88 threadably secured therein, whereby it may be adjusted so that the shaft may be actuated by a predetermined weight.

SecuredY to said shaft 82V and projecting radially therefrom are a plurality of trip fingers 84, which project at their outer ends over the shaft 27 and between the wings 80.

Adjustable on the shaft 82 is a collar 85 having -a lock bar86-xed therein which projects radially therefrom into the path of movement of the stop lug 81, which it engages when the parts are at rest and substantially as shown in Fig. 1, the weight holding said lock bar 86 in engagement with the stop lug` 81 and preventing rotation of the shaft 27 in one direction.

Attached to the plate 7 is the bracket 87, to which is secured the ej eeting lever 88 by the bolt 89, said ejecting lever having a notch 40 in its upper end and adjacent thereto, a coin delecting flange 41, and the lower end of which is pivotally secured to a slide 42 carrying the pivotally mounted push lever 48 having a head 44 thereon.

Also fixed to the plate 7 upon the side thereof opposite to the mechanism hereinbefore described, are a plurality of containers 45 designed to hold articles to be sold, and in cross section have a lengthwise opening therethrough of substantially the same shape as that of the article to be vended so that the same may be readily placed therein and lie within a column one above the other. Movably mounted therein upon the top of said articles isa weight 46 having a pin 47 secured therein. The articles to be vended are designated in Fig. 1 by the numerals 48, the bottom article in the column resting upon the supports 49, which are spaced a sufficient distance apart to permit the head 44 of the push lever 48 to pass therebetween.

Pivoted to the body member 1 by the pintle 50 is the bell crank lever 51, the lower arm of which projects through the bottom of the body member 1 and has a linger plate 52 at its lower extremity. To the outer end of the other arm is pivoted a block 58, within which is adjustably secured the connecting rod 54 by means of the jam nuts 55, the free end of said projecting rod being connected with a chain 56, which is fixed to the grooved wheel 29 by a screw 57 or other con venient means, and to the opposite end of which is a spring 58 attached at its lower end to a pin 59 in the body member 1.

As the coin drops by gravity from the twister mechanism, it engages the outer end of the trip lingers 84, and by its weight rocks the shaft 82 and releases the lock bar 86 from the stop lug 81, in which position the coin lies between the wings 80 which prevent its lateral movement.

The bell crank lever 51 is now normally actuated by engaging the linger plate 52, and through the connection rod 54 and chain 56 a rotary movement is imparted to the shaft 27 and the coin carried about the axis of said shaft until it passes over the outer end of the trip fingers 84, at which time said coin is held against lateral movement by said wings and against an upward movement by the lugs 60, as shown in Fig. 4, and cnefaceof the coin then engages the upper end of the ejecting lever 88, the lip G1 on said lever projecting over the top of the coin.

The ejecting lever is now rockedl upon its pivot mounting until it assumes the position shown by broken lines in Fig. 1, during which time the slide 42 has moved forward carrying with it the push lever 43, and the head 44 engages the bottom article in the column within the container 45 and knocks the same therefrom, which is delivered through the slot 62.

Then the ejector lever is in the position substantially shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the article has been completely ejected and the coin drops by gravity out from between the wings 30 onto the flange 41 and is deflected into the coin receptacle 63 which rests upon the brackets 37 between the plate 7 and the several levers 38.

The spring 71 fixed to the plate 7 contacts with the ejecting lever 38 and always exerts its tension so as to move the uppery end of said lever toward the shaft 27.

Upon releasing the lever 51 the spring 58 returns it to the position shown by full lines in Fig. 1, at which time the push lever 43 is tilted to the position shown by broken lines in said figure and the head 44 passes underneath the column of articles without imparting movement thereto and after being disengaged therefrom the weighted end 64 of said lever causes the same to rock upon its pivot mounting again and assume the position shown by full lines in Fig. 1. During this movement the shaft 27 is returned to its original position and the lock bar 36 engages the stop lug 31 and is held therein by theA counter-balance.

The relative position of the upper end of the ejecting lever 38, with the wings 30 upon the shaft 27, is such that when the coin begins to move about the aXis of the shaft 27,

by reason of the pull upon the crank lever 51, the ejecting lever is rocked by the coin until the outer edge thereof passes under the shoulder 72 and the spring 71 returns the lever 38 and the parts connected therewith to their original positions and the lever pushes the coin into the coin receiver if it has not already dropped therein. The article will not be moved out of the container by the head 44 until the outer edge of the coin has substantially reached the shoulder 72, as shown in Fig, 9, so that the article is delivered before the coin passes from the coin carrying mechanism, thus preventing delivery of more i than one article for a single coin. 1f, however, the crank 51 is released before the article is delivered and before the coin has become disengaged from the coin carrying mechanism, the spring 71 will return the lever 38 to the position substantially shown by broken lines in Fig. 1, carrying with it the coin so that it is returned to the position approximating that assumed by it after it has begun its rotary movement with the coin shaft 27., v

1t willy be remembered that as soon as the coin beginsto rotate with the shaft 27, that the coin passes over the end of the trip iinger 34, thus permitting the shaft 32 to rock and return the lock bar 86 to its engagement with the stop lug 31 upon the shaft 27, thus preventing a further rotation of said shaft while a coin is therein and not discharged therefrom. Hence the shaft 27 cannot be again rotated with a new coin while there is a `coin undelivered therefrom, thus 0bviating the procuring of more than a single artile for a single coin.

Pivotally mounted to the flange 65 is the shutter 66 having a slot 67 therein that registers with the coin slot 10 when in one of its positions, having an arm 68 thereon which rests upon the upper end of a slide rod 69, which is connected with the pivotally mounted lever 70, one end of which is in the path of movement of the pin 47.

As the last article in the column is ejected in the manner hereinbefore described, the pin 47 contacts with the lever 70 and moves the slide rod 69 upwardly, rocking the shutter 66 so as to move the slot 67 therein out of register with the coin opening 10, at which time it will be impossible to place a coin in the chute.

With a device designed as hereinbefore described any number of containers may be arranged within a body member, the mechanism connected therewith for ejecting the articles in each of them being separate and independent from that of the other containers.

rlhe mechanism itself is extremely simple.l is readily assembled and so mounted as to be accessible from the front or rear of the machine, and so far as ingenuity can devise, it is subject to the minimum liability to injury by reason of unlawful tampering therewith.

There are minor changes and alterations that may be made within my invention, aside from those herein suggested, and I would therefore have it understood, that 1 do not limit myself to the exact construction herein shown and described, but claim all that falls fairly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. 1n a device of the character described, the combination with a coin chute; of a rotary member having means connected therewith for holding a coin and means between said coin chute and said member for rotating said coin through an angle of substantially 90, said means comprising companion members and each having a recess therein, and means for holding said members in a fixed position in contact with each other, and when so held having a single opening therebetween formed by said recesses@ 2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a first shaft; of means connected therewith for holding a coin thereon; means for manually imparting movement to said shaft; a second shaft; a trip finger connectedV -therewith and projecting over said first shaft adjacent to said coin retaining means; a stop member connected with said second shaft and engaging a part on said first shaft to prevent the rotation of said latter shaft in one direction; and means for delivering a coin onto said trip linger and releasing the stop member, from its engagement with the first of said shafts.

3.*In a device of the character described, the combination with a first shaft; of means connected therewith for holding a coin thereon; means for manually imparting movement to said shaft; a second shaft; a trip finger connected therewith and projecting over said first shaft adjacent to said coin retainingV means; a stop member connected with 'said second sha-ft and engaging a part on said lfirst shaft to limit the rotation of fsaid latter shaft in one direction; means for delivering a ycoin onto said trip finger and releasing the stop member f-rom its engagement with the first of said shafts; a container; a slide movable in a path at an angle to said container; a push lever pivotally mounted on said slide; and a rock lever having engagement with said slide with a part thereon adjacent to the said coin holding means. c Y 4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a rst shaft having coin holding means connected therewith which prevent lateral movement of a coin in relation thereto; a second shaft substantially parallel therewith; a trip finger connected with said second shaft and projecting over said first shaft; means connected with ksaid second shaft and engaging a part on V'said first shaft yto limit the rotation thereof in 'one direction, kthe relation of said trip Ifinger and said last `mentioned means being such that when said trip finger is depressed by reason of the weight of a coin thereon, said means will be disengaged lfrom said first shaft; and means for manually rotating said first shaft.

' 5. 'In a ldevice-of the character described, the combination with a plurality lof containers arranged so-as lto hold a column of articles therein; and means for successively pushing ythe bottom article in said column from said containers, said means comprising a'first shafthaving a plurality'ofwings connected therewith, said wings being arranged in pairs and there kbeing Aas ymany pairs as thereV are containers; means for manually rotating said shaft =in onedirection; a companion shaft; a'memberconnected with said companion shaft and 'engaging a part upon said first shaftto limit the Arotation thereof,

in one direction; a plurality of trip fingers corresponding in number with said containers and projecting over said first shaft between said wings; means for delivering a coin onto each of said trip fingers and between said wings and by lreason of its weight actuating said companion shaft and disengaging the part connected therewith from said first shaft so that the same may be rotated, a lever lying in the path of movement of said coin when between said wings and while being rotated with said first shaft, a slide connected with said lever and actuated thereby, a push lever pivotally mounted on said slide and when moving in one direction contacts with the lower article in the container and ejects the same therefrom.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of containers arranged so as `to hold a column of articles therein; and means for successively pushing the bottom article in said column from said containers, said `means comprising a first shaft having a plurality of wings 'connected therewith, said wings being arranged in pairs and -there being yas many pairs as there are containers; means for manually rotating said shaft in one direction; a companion shaft; a ymember connected with said companion shaft and engaging a part upon said first shaft to limit the rotation thereof in one direction; a plurality of trip fingers corresponding in number with said containers and projecting over said first shaft between said wings; means for delivering a coin onto each of said trip fingers and between said wings `and by reason of its weight actuating said companion shaft and disengaging the part connected therewith from said first shaft so that the same may be rotated, a lever lying lin the path of movement of said coin when between said wings and while being rotated with said lfirst shaft, a slide 'connected with said lever and actuated thereby, a push lever pivotally mounted on said slide and when moving in one direction contacts with the lower article in the container and ejects the same therefrom, said push lever being so connected with said slide that when moving in lone direction it will eject the bottom article in said container and while moving inthe opposite direction will pass underneath the entire column of articles within said container.

7. 'In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of containers arranged so as to hold a `column of articles-therein means for successively pushing the bottom article in said column from said containers, said means comprising a first shaft having a plurality of wings connected therewith, said wings being arranged in -pairs and there being as many pairs as there are containers; lmeans ifor `manually rotating said shaft in yone direction-1; a comI panion shaft; a member connected with said companion shaft and engaging a part upon said first shaft to limit the rotation thereof in one direction; a plurality of trip fingers corresponding in number with said containers and projecting over said first shaft between said wings; means for delivering a coin onto each of' said trip fingers and between said wings and by reason of its weight actuating said companion shaft and disengaging the part connected therewith from said first shaft so that the same may be rotated, a lever lying in the path of' movement of said coin when between said wings and while being rotated with said first shaft, a slide connected with said lever and actuated thereby; a push lever pivotally mounted on said slide and when moving in one direction contacts with the lower article in the container and ejects the same therefrom, and means for preventing the insertion of a coin in said mechanism when all of the articles in said columns shall have been ejected therefrom, said means comprising a pivotally mounted shutter adjacent to the coin lever; a pivotally mounted lever; a weight within each of said containers that rests upon the top of the articles therein; a connection between said lever and shutter; a weight within each of said containers and resting upon the top of the articles in said containers and having a part thereon which engages said lever and actuates said shutter so as to cover the said coin opening when all of the articles in the said containers have been ejected therefrom.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

WALTER HILL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C. 

